BETHESDA, Md. (AP) — Showing no signs of slipping, let alone melting down, Rory McIlroy took a nine-shot lead into the last three holes of the U.S. Open on Sunday.
He headed to the 16th tee box at 16-under par, nine in front of Y.E. Yang and Jason Day and in total control in the quest for his first major title.
The 22-year-old from Northern Ireland never came close to a repeat of the Masters, where he blew a four-shot lead on the final day. He made his third birdie of the day on No. 10 to get to 17 under but gave a stroke back after driving into a bunker on No. 12. It was only the third over-par score he’d posted over nearly four days at Congressional.
He was 2 under for the day and in sight of breaking the U.S. Open scoring record of 272, held by four players, including Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
